November 15 is a day that marks a pivotal moment in the sports’ history—the first modern revival of the Olympic Games in Athens in 1859. Although the event was a simple, domestic affair compared to today’s global games, it was a landmark in reviving the athletic tradition of ancient Greece, gathering Greeks from the sovereign state and the Ottoman Empire.
The games took place in Athens’ Loudovikou Square (now Koumoundourou Square) because the historic Panathenaic Stadium was still under renovation. Although improperly organised and not fully representative of today’s Olympics, this gathering carried an unquestionable sense of countrywide pride, with competition in ancient disciplines such as running, discussion, wrestling and javelin. Attended by Greek dignitaries, with the King and half of Athens’ residents, it was one of the first major public events in the city’s modern era.
However, the games exposed the strategic challenges of mass gatherings. Without experience in crowd management, the event saw chaotic scenes, with many spectators not able to watch the competitions properly. The games were not formal in nature, with participants ranging from devoted athletes to workers drawn by cash prizes. Amusing incidents ensued—a policeman abandoned his position to compete and a beggar hilariously joined the race. Yet, this informal character lent the games a unique, community-focused authenticity.
Usually, support for the event came from abroad, especially from Dr William Penny Brookes’ Wenlock Olympic Class in England, which provided a £10 prize for the best runner. Petros Velissarios, a Greek from Smyrna, won this esteemed prize.
The 1859 Athens Games were humble yet visionary, planting the seeds of a unifying Olympic spirit that would later blossom on a global stage, reminding us of sport’s long-term power to inspire and unite.
